Census & Voter Activity

The Annual Street List (City Census)

Why is the Census Important?

In accordance with Massachusetts General Law c51,s4, we are required to communicate with each household and compile an annual street list – also known as a city census. We mail out the annual City Census to every household in January. If the census form received is accurate, sign and return to the City Clerk's Office by mail within 10 days of receipt. If updates need to be made, please make the necessary changes, sign and return it. If you've moved into Westfield after the 1st of January and would like to establish residency, please complete a Census Form to include you and members of your household or register to vote.

The census is critical for Westfield to maintain accurate population information for municipal services, calculate state and federal funding allocations, and project school enrollments and costs. It also assists individuals with proof of residence for housing and veterans’ benefits, in-state college tuition, insurance benefits, and more.

What happens if I don't return my census?

While returning your census does not register you to vote, failure to respond by May 30th shall result in removal from the active voting list. The inactive voters will be placed on the inactive voters list and will be sent a confirmation post card, The confirmation notice must sign and return in order to convert back to an active voter. The confirmation notice is meant to confirm that the voter continues to reside at the address at which he or she is registered, or if the voter has moved, update the address on file. Voters who fail to return confirmation notices will remain on the inactive voters list.

Inactive Voters

On Election Day, If you are an inactive voter, you will be on the Inactive Voter List when you check-in at your polling place. Before you may vote, you will be required to show identification and complete an affirmation of current and continuous residence. The identification must reflect the voter's name and address as it appears on the Inactive Voter List. It is not required that you present photo identification. Acceptable forms of identification include: a driver's license, state-issued ID card, recent utility bill, rent receipt, lease, a copy of a voter registration affidavit, or any other printed identification which contains your name and address. Inactive voters may still cast a ballot, If you have moved within Westfield, or have moved from one Massachusetts municipality to another within six months of a state election.

Returning to Active Voter

Inactive voters remain registered to vote until they fail to vote in two consecutive biennial state elections. Inactive voters are restored to the active voters list any time they return a Census form, complete an affirmation of current and continuous residence, fill out a new voter registration form, sign a nomination form/petition or submit anything to their local election official which is signed under penalty of perjury and confirms the voter's address.